Disappointment as homes go to appeal

DISAPPOINTMENT has been expressed as refused plans for a housing development are at risk of being overturned.

Plans for 24 three and four bedroom houses on land off Harehedge Lane, opposite Outwoods Primary School, were recently refused but now, applicant, William Davies Ltd, is appealing against the decision – news which comes as a disappointed to a local councillor.

The scheme also involved a provision for nine parking spaces to be used for picking up and dropping off times at Outwoods Primary School.

However, East Staffordshire Borough Councillor for Tutbury and Outwoods, Liz Staples, said it meant too many parents will be trying to get on and off the site.

She originally said that the developers should wait for the whole site’ rather than putting this smaller plan in piecemeal.’

Now that plans have gone to appeal, the councillor said: “I am disappointed they have taken it to appeal.

“I think it would have been better for them to delay the application and closely work with the county council, and develop the site as a whole rather than individually.

“The junction in Harehedge Lane is not what the residents want. We know that the lane is already congested.”

In refusing the application, the borough council planning officers said: “The proposed development does not exhibit a high quality of design, the proposed homes lack any sense of local distinctiveness, and the layout of the site fails to achieve distinctive relationships between buildings or memorable streetscenes.”

The officers also added that the development was not essential to the rural economy, as it will occupy Greenfield land, and does not provide a facility for the general public or community concluding that they would constitute an unnecessary intrusion into the countryside.

They also agreed with Councillor Staples’ plea to delay the plans, when adding: “The application site forms a small element of a much larger proposed allocation within the borough, and fails to provide a suitable urban design framework. The proposed development will therefore compromise the proper planning of the wider development site.”